WHEN Hermann Hreidarsson thought about a retirement plan, there was only one thing he wanted to do.
The former Portsmouth FA Cup winner and Iceland legend, now 49, wanted to break into hotels.
For his first foray, he teamed up with ex-Chelsea star Eidur Gudjohnsen to launch a hostel in Reykjavik in 2011.
Then in 2014, the same year he hung up his boots after a stint at Fylkir in his homeland, came a bigger project.
He launched the four-star Stracta Hotel, some 60 miles from the capital as a retreat for those looking for a place to relax and enjoy nature's beauty.
Nearly 10 years later, it is still going strong and is seemingly the perfect spot to witness the Northern Lights, with punters rating it four of five on TripAdvisor.
Accommodation
Hreidarsson was born in the remote Vestmannaey Islands, so his sense of adventure for the great outdoors knows no bounds.
He and his father plan on building even more hotels in Iceland's most scenic regions for guests to explore the country's vast natural sights in the future.
But it's the Stracta Hotel that is currently drawing all the plaudits.
It boasts a total of 148 rooms, including standard double/twin rooms and superior double/twin rooms.
They also have studio rooms with their own kitchenette, two bedroom apartments with cooking facilities and a private hot tub, as well as deluxe suites that also come with their own private jacuzzis.
Rooms start at around £127-per-night and can be as much as £500-per-night for the superior accommodations.
On site, there are plenty of relaxing spa options as you would expect from a winter destination.
Wander into the hotel gardens and you will discover the hotel saunas and communal hot tubs.
On the ground floor, you'll discover the reception desk imprinted
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